Volkswagen of America Inc. has hosted its first display in the 42-year history
of the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) annual exhibition of
automotive parts and accessories, presenting a trio of ultra-high-performance
dream vehicles, two new accessorised sport sedans, plus a glimpse into the future
with a race-winning robotic SUV.

Volkswagen has been a familiar marque at the SEMA Show since the
first Beetle was transformed into a dune buggy, but never before has Volkswagen
of America exhibited at the automotive aftermarket’s most important
gathering. In addition to the three project vehicles built in
cooperation with HPA Motorsports, the display features two of Volkswagen’s
newest production cars, the Jetta 2.0T and Passat 2.0T, each adorned with a
comprehensive array of Genuine Volkswagen Accessories, from body kits to sport
suspension springs to uniquely styled interior accoutrements.

Volkswagen also brought
along “Stanley,” an electronically sophisticated Touareg developed with
Stanford University. The driverless SUV made history by winning a 209 kilometre
(130 miles) race for robotic vehicles across the Nevada desert in October.
Bristling with advanced electronics, some of which may soon make their way
into Volkswagen production cars, Stanley has been hailed as a genuine
breakthrough in remote guidance vehicle technology.

Evidence of this passion was plainly
visible in the three R GT project vehicles, inspired by the success of the
high-performance R32. Mixing and melding some of Volkswagen’s most advanced
production car technology – a responsive narrow-angle V6 engine,
handling-enhancing 4MOTION all-wheel drive and
the innovative and acclaimed dual-clutch auto-manual transmission DSG – with the
aesthetic visions of Volkswagen’s California-based design studio, the Jetta R
GT, Passat R GT and Touareg R GT represent just a few of the many ways that
Volkswagen’s core strengths can be enhanced to deliver performance based on
solid German engineering.

Performance tuners are drawn to platforms that capably support
increased engine power and that also accept complementary upgrades to such other
elements as brakes and suspension. Volkswagens platforms have
fulfilled those needs for generations, but never have the worlds of the showroom
stock vehicle and the highly modified aftermarket special been as close as they
are now. Personalising an American Volkswagen begins as early as the first
visit to the dealer, as demonstrated by the 2006 Jetta 2.0T and 2006 Passat 2.0T
on display. Each was modified inside and out using Genuine
Volkswagen Accessories and shows how the enthusiast, at the time of purchase,
can order an even more appealing platform for subsequent upgrades.

Volkswagen always has had a presence at SEMA – reflected by the hundreds
of VW vehicles shown over the years, and by the many exhibitors who specialise
in parts and accessories aimed at the Volkswagen enthusiast. This
year’s exhibit, however, isn’t a look back at a rich history but instead is an
expression of a vital component of Volkswagen’s philosophy: fun-to-drive
performance.

VW’s current technical strengths and enriched
model lines are simply one wave of a torrent of new models, including a new
Passat with a larger, more powerful V6, the next GTI, the Eos hardtop
convertible, and, further down the line, a 2+2 sport coupe that hearkens to the
heyday of the Scirocco. And look for more exciting Volkswagens at next
year’s SEMA Show.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is
headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG,
headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest
producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen of
America and its affiliates employ approximately 3,000 people in the United
States and are responsible for the sale and service of Audi, Bentley, and
Volkswagen products through retail networks comprising in total more than 900
independent U.S. dealers.

"Volkswagen" and
"4MOTION" are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. "DSG" is a
trademark of Volkswagen AG.All other trademarks used in this
document are the property of their respective owners.

Volkswagen Touareg R GT concept

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